Joint Study Order, To Study Landlord and Tenant Issues

the Senate concurring, that the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Landlord and Tenant Issues is established as follows.

1. Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Landlord and Tenant Issues established. The Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Landlord and Tenant Issues, referred to in this order as “the commission,” is established.

2. Membership. The commission consists of 13 members, appointed as follows:

ASix members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:1Three members of the Senate;2One member from an organization that provides free legal services to low-income persons in the State;3One member from an organization representing landlords; and4One member from an organization representing housing managers;BSix members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:1Four members of the House of Representatives;2One member representing the Maine State Housing Authority; and3One member representing the District Court system; andCThe Attorney General.

3. Commission chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the commission and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the commission.

4. Appointments; convening of commission. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the commission shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission.

5. Duties. The commission shall:

AStudy the feasibility of obtaining heating fuel assistance and insulation assistance for landlords who serve low-income tenants in certain economically distressed areas; BStudy how to keep units in proper repair;CStudy how to keep tenants in their apartments in the event of a foreclosure; andDStudy any other issues pertaining to landlord and tenant issues that it determines to be relevant.

6. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission.

7. Report. No later than December 2, 2009, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. Pursuant to Joint Rule 353, the commission is not authorized to introduce legislation. Upon receipt of the report required by this section, the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs may, pursuant to Joint Rule 353, introduce a bill during the session to which the report is submitted to implement its recommendations on matters relating to the study.